Two Northwood University graduate students have won the Outstanding Graduate Paper Award in Business Analytics at the 2025 International Business Analytics Conference (IBAC), held May 8-9 at the State University of New York at Fredonia.
The award-winning paper, titled “Retaining Value: Segment-Based Predictive Models for Customer Churn in Banking,” was co-authored by Abhishek Sharma and Priyal Rawat under the mentorship of Dr. Itauma Itauma, Ph.D. The study introduced a machine learning framework to predict customer churn within the banking sector, emphasizing personalized strategies for high-net-worth and Regular customer segments.
Using models such as Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting, the research prioritized both predictive accuracy and explainability. A cost-sensitive approach addressed class imbalances, and a churn risk scoring system was developed to enable banks to proactively prioritize customer retention strategies.
“This award is a remarkable achievement — not only for Abhishek and Priyal, but for our entire Northwood community,” said Academic Vice President and Provost Dr. Kristin Stehouwer. “To see our graduate students best competition from across the globe at such a prestigious academic conference is a testament to their hard work, the mentorship of our faculty, and the global relevance of The Northwood Idea. Their success inspires our current students and prospective Timberwolves worldwide.”
Both Abhishek Sharma and Priyal Rawat are from Mumbai, India. A married couple, the pair has been studying at the DeVos Graduate School of Management at Northwood University since August 2024.
“This is a powerful demonstration of the world-class education our international students receive at Northwood University and the DeVos Graduate School,” stated Dean of International Affairs Adem Althor. “We are proud to provide an environment where students from around the globe can thrive academically, contribute meaningful research, and lead in competitive global forums.”
The conference, which emphasizes collaboration between academia and industry, brings together scholars, students, and business professionals to present cutting-edge research in business analytics.
“It was an honor to be part of such a vibrant academic community,” Rawat shared.
Both students praised the support of Northwood University and its DeVos Graduate School.
“We’re grateful to Northwood leadership for giving us a platform to pursue and present our research,” Sharma added. For more information about the paper, visit https://github.com/priyalrawat/Retaining-Value-Segment-Based-Predictive-Models-for-Customer-Churn-in-Banking-
